Introduction

Get 'Em Girl: An ambitious woman who uses unconventional ways to achieve her goals.

When we first decided to write this book, it was based solely on our love of three things: food, fun, and men! Being three single women living in New York City, we knew all too well, the pitfalls of dating in the big city. Young and career-oriented, we didn't have a real need (or desire) to cook. Yes, we had to eat, but this is New York! There is a restaurant, deli, or take-out place on every other block. However, we also knew that to date (and keep) a man in a place as big as New York, which is full of beautiful women of all backgrounds, we had to step up the game. We had to sit back and ask ourselves, "What are we bringing to the table?" Yes, we all are beautiful, intelligent, and educated -- but so are the tens of thousands of other women waiting to take our places. So instead of trying to decipher what men want in a woman, we just asked them.

We set out with our list of questions and hit the streets (well, actually, the barbershops, supermarkets, churches, workplaces, and chat rooms) with one goal in mind: to find out what it is that men really want. While some definitely didn't want much (all you have to do is know how to drop it like it's hot and pick it up slow) almost all of them asked the inevitable, "...but can you cook?"

Now we have all heard the saying "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach," and most of us probably think it's an old-fashioned cliché that doesn't fit in this day and age. But as sure as the day is long, it's just as relevant today, if not more so, as it was fifty years ago. Contrary to how fine you know you are, any man is turned on by woman who is willing to invest the slightest bit of time and energy in pleasing him.

The purpose of this book is not to have women chained to the stove, but to reintroduce women to the art form of cooking, which, if done properly, can be easy, fun, and delicious. Just think about it: If you met a man at his place for a quiet evening, just to get to know each other, and found yourself presented with herb-roasted chicken, sautéed broccolini, and mushroom rice pilaf, you would be liable to lose all your religion and good sense -- well, after you ate, of course. Aside from this being an immensely thoughtful thing to do, the fact that he dedicated the time to cook such an elaborate meal for you would probably send you right over the edge. Well -- the same goes for him.

So with that said, if he's worth it, and if you're playing for keeps, impress him with that little thing you do with your tongue -- and that little thing you do with your skillet.

Copyright © 2007, 2008 by Shakara Bridgers, Jeniece Isley, and Joan A. Davis

---

Excerpted from The Get 'Em Girls' Guide to the Power of Cuisine: Perfect Recipes for Spicing up Your Love Life by Shakara Bridgers, Jeniece Isley, Joan A. Davis
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.